JavaScript is the English of programming: Ubiquity by circumstance

A popular comparison between a natural and a machine language

If you’re not familiar with the term JavaScript and have stumbled across this article by mistake, you don’t need to know JavaScript to understand the article, allow me to give a brief summary. JavaScript is a computer programming language which runs on web browsers but, increasingly more common is being run on other platforms too. With that out of the way, why is a programming language similar to a natural language? More specifically, why English?

JavaScript is like English because it shares many traits that have helped shape it into what we know today. It’s is a product of its environment, often met with scorn or scrutiny from particular communities and it has evolved over time as every language does.

Environment

English is a language which is no better or worse than any other. Every language has a purpose and a different way of expression but for some reason, English has become a global language. It’s the language of business and it’s also most likely the language used to construct programming languages. JavaScript is no exception. If English is not better than any other language then how has it become so popular and widespread?